Can I use an Android phone without a data plan?
BrendanM
Enthusiast - Level 2

Please read all of this before responding. You will not be helping when you show a clear misunderstanding of my question.

I do not need a data plan. Everywhere I go has Wi-Fi, and I am perfectly content to not have internet connectivity in the event that I don't have Wi-Fi. What I want to know is if I can buy a phone from a store (not from Verizon or a contract renewal) and replace my current phone with it without needing a data plan. There is NO software/hardware reason why I couldn't, and the only reason I would need to is as a Verizon requirement.

As an additional question, if Verizon doesn't allow it, is there any workaround?

I want an android phone not to have ubiquitous connection to social media. I want an android phone to have platform to run software on in addition to making/receiving calls and text messages. I would not utilize a data plan and it would be a waste of money.

Additional info: 

Can I use an Android phone that I buy from a retailer on my Verizon plan without adding data? There's no hardware or software reason why I need a data plan, and there IS a point to having a smart phone without a data plan: Wi-Fi. I don't need to have redundant internet access.  The only reason conceivable for why I'd need a data plan is because Verizon wants more money for no additional service (I wouldn't USE connectivity provided by a data plan). I don't want to have a mobile platform for running software and a phone filling my pockets, I'd like it to be in one. All the connectivity I need is for calls and text messaging.

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1 Solution
BrendanM
Enthusiast - Level 2

Yes, but I don't go to a car insurance person with a new car with features that are better than an other one, and have them charge me for features I won't use.

The car analogy is bad. Don't use it.

The point is, I want to be able to use a smartphone I buy. I'm not buying it from Verizon, that's stupid. I'm buying it from the phone market, but unfortunately the service market is over-saturated by people who don't know how to shop for phones, so Verizon knows they can get away with charging extra for service that's barely used when everyone has wifi, what they lose from smart people who don't want to throw money away they more than make up for in sheep that don't know what they are doing.

The bottom line: why should a data package be required when the phone will /never/ use it, EVER? Because Verizon can get away with it.

View solution in original post

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23 Replies
rcschnoor
Legend

After reading your "entire" post, I think I "understand" you want to activate an Android phone on the Verizon network without having to add a data plan to your line. The answer is NO, you cannot activate an Android phone on the Verizon network without having a data plan active on the line.

I can't imagine how there would be any workarounds as Verizon would be aware you are a customer and Verizon can tell by the device ID # that it is a smartphone. When it was noticed a data plan was not active, one would be added.

Dave-in-Decatur
Specialist - Level 2

What you're describing sounds like a perfectly reasonable way to use the technology, but at this stage I doubt if it's possible. (I don't know what got deleted from the message by the moderator, but what's left sounds totally rational.) Perhaps some enterprising small phone company will start offering talk-and-text-only plans for smartphones, but it ain't gonna be Verizon. There might actually be a fair-sized market for it, but there's no way one of the major carriers is going to cut itself out of the data deal.

21stNow
Master - Level 1

T-Mobile allows the use of a smartphone without a data plan, if the customer pays full price for the smartphone or brings it from somewhere else.

And to the original poster no, on Verizon Wireless you have to have a data plan on a smartphone that is in use.

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Dave-in-Decatur
Specialist - Level 2

I stand corrected!

Here's an article on the subject with a good discussion and a somewhat dodgy suggestion for non-Verizon service: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57555091-94/can-you-ditch-your-smartphone-data-plan-for-wi-fi/.

Here's a discussion on a T-Mobile forum laying out the options (as of last November): http://support.t-mobile.com/message/198200. It sounds like it would meet one of the OP's desires: "Can I use an Android phone that I buy from a retailer on my Verizon plan without adding data?" Not on Verizon, but probably on T-Mobile.

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commonsense101
Specialist - Level 2

Smartphones require a data plan to be active on the line. yes it is because it costs more.

jrh4054
Specialist - Level 3

You say you want to run 'software' on your Android phone and not have a data plan.  If you plan to use software that comes installed on the phone, you probably don't need a data plan.  But, if you need to download the software you want to use, you must have a data plan to do that. 

But, as another responder said, the bottom line is you can't use a smart phone on the VZW network without a data plan.

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rcschnoor
Legend

jrh4054 wrote:

But, if you need to download the software you want to use, you must have a data plan to do that.

Not if you download via WiFi. The bottom line is Verizon will not allow a smartphone to activate on their network without a data plan.

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budoy
Enthusiast - Level 1

I had the exact same questions. After talking to 3 separate Verizon agents (only one had an answer I was satisfied with), I figured it is not possible with an Android phone. There are some 'basic phones' that you can get a 'pay as you go' data plan, but those aren't the phone that you are interested in. 

The smartphone itself doesn't require a data plan, but Verizon requires it. From what I understand, they don't really make that much money on voice or text anymore. Data plans are helping them get their big bucks, and I can't blame them for charging.  It's all business.

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kjuloea
Newbie

I don't blame them for wanting to make money. But for $55 I used less than half a GB last month. I think the cost is too much. Everyone, keep looking for ideas, we're all smarter than Verizon. I got rid of my land line for a cell (2nd cell phone) and our Verizon cell service so terrible we had to have landline reinstalled. Now I owe $150 on "free" phone I got with "agreement" because it was only an agreement if I kept phone two years. And this is because their service is so awful! Who do I call? They can have their worthless phone that must have weakest antenna made! 

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KH-Michael
Moderator Emeritus

Due to the age of this thread, it will be locked in order to keep discussions current. If you have the same or a similar question/issue we invite you to start a new thread on the topic.

VerizonUserNH
Newbie

BrendanM,

         To answer your question on using an android phone on Verizon without a required data add-ons. Verizon's system detects when a phone is activated by checking the MEID (Serial Number) of the device and putting the required features needed for that phone. In your case a data plan will be needed in order to successfully use the phone on Verizons Network. Reps have no way of overriding or removing the feature codes for the device from the system. Might I suggest getting the lowest data plan currently offered.

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tikibar1
Community Leader
Community Leader

You'd obviously need to carry two devices, but an option would be a basic phone and a wi-fi only Android tablet.

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Trevisvan
Enthusiast - Level 1

If you think the forced data plan is unfair (like I do) file a complaint with the FCC.

Not applicable

It is not unfair.  If you want a smartphone without a data plan, go to a provider that offers that.  Verizon does not.  If I want a new Ford, I don't go to a Chevy dealer and file a complaint because they don't sell new Fords.

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BrendanM
Enthusiast - Level 2

Yes, but I don't go to a car insurance person with a new car with features that are better than an other one, and have them charge me for features I won't use.

The car analogy is bad. Don't use it.

The point is, I want to be able to use a smartphone I buy. I'm not buying it from Verizon, that's stupid. I'm buying it from the phone market, but unfortunately the service market is over-saturated by people who don't know how to shop for phones, so Verizon knows they can get away with charging extra for service that's barely used when everyone has wifi, what they lose from smart people who don't want to throw money away they more than make up for in sheep that don't know what they are doing.

The bottom line: why should a data package be required when the phone will /never/ use it, EVER? Because Verizon can get away with it.

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Not applicable

Verizon is selling data plans.  That is their product.  They are not a phone company.  They don't make money selling phones.  They make some money on voice and text, I suppose, but they are in the business of selling data plans.  If you don't want or need a data plan, don't come to Verizon.  If you don't want a new Ford, don't go to a Ford dealership.

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BrendanM
Enthusiast - Level 2

Wrong. Verizon is a wireless service company. Just because they make a ridiculous amount selling one thing, doesn't mean that's their whole company. It's like going to a ford dealership, getting one car, and being forced to buy the one with redundant features you don't need, if you must insist on using poor car analogies.

They aren't getting any money from a data plan from me now. They're selling me wireless service but won't support a device that I bring to them for the same exact network and level of service unless I buy a service that's redundant and unnecessary. That's ridiculous.

Not applicable

You may think it's ridiculous, but that is their business model.  They don't cater to the low-end cell phone market and have a very limited offering for basic phones and pre-paid phones.  They obviously are going after the high-end market with smartphones and data plans.  They don't make money selling phones.  Their business is selling data plans.  Just because you don't like that, doesn't make it untrue or change anything.  If I wanted a smartphone without a data plan, I would go to a provider who provides that.

21stNow
Master - Level 1

You don't like analogies, here is the reality.  Verizon Wireless is a carrier that requires a data plan to use a smartphone.  There is a carrier that allows a customer to use a smartphone without a data plan.  If that is what you want, you should go to that carrier.  Verizon Wireless has the most customers at over 90 million.  They are not inclined, at this moment, to listen to the few customers that want something that they don't offer.  The one carrier that does allow smartphone use without a data plan is the one with the fewest customers out of the nationwide postpaid carriers.  That's not much incentive for Verizon Wireless to change.

The carriers have gone on record that they want to increase their data plan offerings.  One carrier has even entertained the idea of allowing smartphones to have data plans only, with no voice plans.  For now, this business environment is going against what you want.

Jim is right, go to a carrier that offers what you want.

B33
Legend

+ 1

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